Sugar-Coated Disappointment

The Brief

Creating a "flop" themed, square illustration for Tapirulan illustrators contest 2026.

The Idea

We build up our expectations like scoops on a cone, sweet and full of promise, only to watch them hit the pavement. This illustration aims to capture the exact moment that excitement turns into failure. One moment you're holding a celebration, and the next, you're staring at a sticky mess on the sidewalk, full of disappointment, sadness, and even annoyance.

Exploration

After the initial sketch, color combinations were explored using Procreate.

Papercut collage

To execute it, colored papers and pencils were used.